Darien girls golf edges New Canaan

DARIEN — Two young girls golf teams took on the challenge of playing the front nine of historic Wee Burn Country Club Monday.

And when everyone’s patience was exhausted, Darien came away with a 206-210 triumph over suburban rival New Canaan.

“This is a great win for us,” said Darien coach Brian Zeyer, whose squad lost to New Canaan, 196-203 earlier this season at Country Club of New Canaan. “The FCIAC is such a strong league. Eight of the FCIAC schools are among the Top 18 Girls Golf teams in the state of Connecticut. So every win is nice. We are fortunate that we get to play on three amazing golf courses during the season.”

Indeed. Darien (4-9 overall, 4-8 FCIAC) has played four home matches at Wee Burn CC, two matches at CC of Darien and one home match at Woodway CC.

The course was in impeccable condition on a sun-drenched afternoon. However, the punitive sand traps, undulating greens, sloping fairways along with Mother Nature’s gusting crosswinds made every shot a hard proposition. Even getting a sip from the water fountains was dangerous in the wind.

The 12 varsity golfers who took part Monday, however, did thrive on the front-nine’s par-3 holes.

New Canaan sophomore Lauren Capone made a five-foot birdie putt on the 4th hole. Darien freshmen Emily Cohen and Taylor Richards as well as the Blue Wave’s Molly Read and lone senior Alexis Wagoner all parred the 7th hole. New Canaan junior Tessa Piontkowski also posted a par 3 on No. 7.

For Darien, Cohen, playing in the No. 1 slot, led the way with a 45. No. 2 junior Bridget Wolters shot 48 followed by frosh Richards (55), Wagoner (58) and sophomore Caroline Martzolf (59). Read, playing No. 6 but not involved in the team scoring, fashioned a 54.

“Alexis (Wagoner) and Bridget (Wolters) are our captains. They have been great leaders when it comes to team building,” Darien’s Zeyer said. “The freshmen have been welcomed in and the group gets along superbly. Emily (Cohen) leads with her game on the course. This young group will keep improving with time.”

In honor of Senior Day, the Darien team presented Wagoner with a custom designed T-shirt — blue of course — as well as more cupcakes than both teams could eat.

Darien, which has a trio of road matches to finish its regular season, is also aided by the presence of assistant coach Paige Ballo.

New Canaan (8-4, 7-4) has no seniors and has three home matches remaining in its quest to qualify for the FCIAC Tournament.

Capone, playing in the No. 3 slot, paced the Rams with a 46. Piontkowski, playing No. 1, had a 53. No. 2 freshman Meghan Mitchell posted a 56 while junior Alex Esposito, playing No. 5, had a 55.

“We have a fun group that really enjoys golf,” New Canaan coach Priscilla Schulz said. “The Wee Burn course is a tough challenge. We’re looking to finish strong in our last three matches in pursuit of an FCIAC berth.”